ICE London Clarion Gaming’s research and consultation process to determine the future location of the ICE tradeshow has moved forward, with four cities shortlisted as potential hosts.
ICE London ExCeL hall
Working in partnership with event strategy and location specialist Equimore, Clarion has finalised a shortlist of four cities, which met the criteria set out for the future of the location of ICE. The four are Barcelona, London, Madrid and Paris.
Each city will next make a formal bid to host the event between 2025 and 2029. This process will be completed later this year, with an announcement to follow in Q3 2023.
Customer-centric process
Clarion Events group managing director, gaming Alex Pratt described said the “robust process” was customer-centric and would allow for the final decision to be taken in the best interests of stakeholders and of the global gaming industry.
The process will also involve iGB Affiliate London, with stakeholders in that community also involved “in order to identify their preferred strategic path”.
Alex Pratt headshot
CLARION EVENTS GROUP MANAGING DIRECTOR, GAMING ALEX PRATT
“The four short-listed cities will progress through a selection process with the help of the experienced and knowledgeable team at Equimore which is overseeing every aspect of what is a robust programme,” Pratt explained.
He added that factors such as the locations in terms of capacity, facilities and the ability to accommodate future growth would be considered, as well as dateline availability, transport links and broader hospitality infrastructure, including accommodation costs.
“By pursuing all due diligence we will identify the city that’s best equipped to not only host an event which continues to play such a central role in helping to create opportunity and prosperity for gaming businesses of all sizes, across every vertical and in every global jurisdiction, but also demonstrate its leadership in the sector,” he added.
“In the interests of transparency Clarion will not be making any further comment during the official process.”
This year’s ICE London takes place at ExCeL London next week, running from 6-9 February, with iGB Affiliate London starting on 8 February and ending on 11 February.
